24 - Friday, November 24, 1989 - North Shore New: Aut?rfoewm orfrfri » ASK THE EXPERT & ASK THE Expert is a weekly column in the North Shore News’ Automotives section. Each week a reader’s question will be answered by two or more local experts in the automotives trade. This week’s question is: Is it necessary to have a tune-up every year, even if I drive the car less @ than 2,000 km every 12 months? Most of the time this car is only used for very short trips — less than 30km a time. M. Fitzgibbons North Vancouver A It is quite possible that your car needs a e® tune-up — even if it is driven only 2,000 km in a year. Short city trips are harder on a car than highway driving. I would suggest having a mechanic check if a tune-up is necessary. lan Wilson Hurricane Enterprises West Van Esso The vehicle manufacturers provide e@ recommended service intervals for their products to provide maximum fuel economy, safety and reliability. These service intervals (which vary on different makes and models) are usually based on time or mileage, whichever oc- curs first. In the case of a tune-up, adjustments and service of parts are still] recommended an- nuully even if the mileage driven is low. For the recoramended tune-up intervals for your car, please consult your owner’s manual. British Columbia Automobile Association if you have an auto-relaied question, write to: “Ask the Expert,’’ North Shore News, 1139 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, B.C. V7M 2H4. a 1 Would eave your en SRIES. 7 NU. ty + PRS, + COMP VY €E S Car phone increases accident risk THE EXCITEMENT, convenience, and money created by the rapidly developing cellular phone industry is overshadowing the dangers to traffic safety posed by this new technology. policemen who see the driver go through the red light with the phone in his hand ... Even then, it’s difficult to say whether that was the cause. He might have gone through the light anyway.” Keith Godfrey, director of the Traffic Safety Director- ate of B.C. points out that There is growing evidence to suggest that an increasing number of traffic accidents are caused by drivers who are not paying attention to the road because they are distracted by a phone call. At the moment, there are no official statistics avail- able. But those people on the front lines, the police departments, are keeping unofficial tallies of cellular phone-related accidents. In Vancouver, where there are more cellular phones than anywhere else, the Vancouver Police Depart- ment has seen a propor- tionaiely larger number of incidents. VISTAS | NS AutoMotion Greg Wilson. Vancouver traffic analyst Sgt. Chris Offer says that the Vancouver Police Department hands out about 16 tickets a month for traffic offences where a_ cellular phone was involved. Typical offences include unsafe lane changes, driving through red lights and driv- ing without due care and at- tention. But Offer points out that, “Unless we have a witness to an accident, it is hard to prove that a cellular phone was responsible. Drivers won't say, or are tow embar- rassed to admit they were holding a phone.”’ “Most of our cases are reported by motorcycle “hab” witl people who need cellular phones in their cars are usually in high-stress jobs. ‘*People who have cellular phones in their cars tend to be under tension, higher stressed. Business people, brokers, real estate agents and so on.”’ ““You can imagine, if you’re talking to your broker in the car, and he tells you you've had a substantial loss in the stock market that could seriously affect your concen- tration.”’ Why people lose concen- tration is still not fully understood. Why is it, for example, that a person can drive safe- ly while listening to music on the radio, but may not if he is listening to someone on the telephone? Godfrey believes that listening te someone talk on WAGONEERS PREMIERS Ci -EARANCE CHEROKEES FACTORY AUTHORIZED* | INVOICE SALE, * Net of all programs — Prices include a 4 P.D.I. You Don’t Need To Cross The Bridge To Get The Best! Gueranteéd B.C.’s Lowest Prices a stranger then why leave your NISSAN with one? Take it to your specialized Nissan technician for professional tender loving care WINTER SPECIALS Come into North Shore Nissan to ik GENUINE NISSAN PARTS | NORTH SHORE'S OWLY NISSAN DEALER Notthshore> HW? get your car 20-POINT SAFETY CHECK UP* | | ready for winter! 1160 MARINE DRIVE, NORTH VANCOUVER FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE ANYWHERE ON THE NORTH SHORE Bipeds s Healer hoses. Al of levels 6 Al fd evcls. TUNE-UPS suspenstor 13 Shock apsucbers t4 Tires 15 Belfs 16 Brates OIL CHANGES Etc. 17 PCV vave 18 Windstueid vaper blades 19 Test drive HOURS: BiOGN-FRI. 8am-5pim, Sat. SERVICE: 985-9311 | 8:30am-5pm PARTS: $85-1513 |